Heavy rain has forced the suspension of Amarnath yatra on July 4, as three pilgrims died and three more were injured in landslides the previous evening.
“The pilgrimage from both the Baltal (in central Kashmir) and Pahalgam (in south Kashmir) routes was suspended because of landslides and shooting stones between Railpathri and Brarimarg. The routes witnessed continuous rains,” said a spokesman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).
A total of 60,752 pilgrims have paid obeisance at the holy cave thus far, he said.
An official spokesman said three injured in the landslides on the Railpathri-Brarimarg stretch “were recuperating in Valley hospitals”. “However, three pilgrims died in the landslides,” said the official.
An official said both the security forces and doctors worked overtime to save the pilgrims hit by the landslides. An official said 29 health facilities and 1,380 health professionals, including 450 doctors, have been deployed on the twin routes.
Death toll mounting
The yatra has witnessed death of nine people, including a BSF officer and a palanquin lifter, since the pilgrimage started on June 28.
Last year, the yatra witnessed just 25 deaths in the entire period, first time since 120 people deaths were reported in 2012. The casualties came down significantly after a health advisory was made mandatory by the SASB for the pilgrims embarking for the trekking on the twin routes, after the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Home minister to visit shrine
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Srinagar for a two-day visit. He will review the security situation in the state and visit the Amarnath shrine too, said an official.
“I am anguished beyond words on the loss of precious lives due to a landslide on the Baltal route. My thoughts are with the bereaved families and my prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Mr. Singh wrote on Twitter before landing in Srinagar.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval; Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba; Joint Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Gyanesh Kumar and other officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs also accompanied the minister.